This activity introduces genealogy. Children can better understand their place in their family, and the flow of life from one generation to the next, by doing a family tree with the help of a parent or grandparent.

Genealogy is the record of a family's history. Every family, no matter where it comes from, has its own long and fascinating story – just like Alex Haley's famous family story Roots.

Exploring your family history is an adventure. But it isn't just about ancestors. It's about you. It's about how you've been influenced by what's come before you, and about how you will influence what comes after you.

You might initially think you have only one family. But that's not true. You actually have many families. You start, of course, with your immediate family – your parents and you. But then you'll be thinking about your four grandparents. Each of them came from a different family. You'll start including your mom's mother's family, your mom's father's family, your dad's mother's family, and your dad's father's family. Very soon, your family tree will grow and grow and grow.